NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2020

by | Jan 27, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2020

Could Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau accept trades to a Cup contender? Will the Colorado Avalanche make a significant move at the trade deadline? Could the Blues pursue a top-six forward? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

THORNTON AND MARLEAU AREN’T THINKING ABOUT TRADES

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks veterans Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau haven’t given any thought about accepting a trade to a Stanley Cup contender. “I need to think about that,” said Thornton. “Obviously this homestand is going to be important for our team. But I haven’t thought about it at all. I’m just trying to win games here and see how it goes. I’m still optimistic we can take a run at it. I really am. We’ll have to see how these next couple of weeks play out and go from there.”

Could San Jose Shark center Joe Thornton accept a trade to a contender? (Photo via NHL Images)

Marleau echoed Thornton’s comments. “Not even thinking about that right now,” he said, adding his focus is trying to help the Sharks reach the playoffs.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Joe Haggerty observed Thornton didn’t issue a flat denial about accepting a trade as he’d done in the past. He wondered if it were possible for the 40-year-old center to return to the Boston Bruins via trade. Thornton began his NHL career with the Bruins from 1997-98 until November 30, 2005, when he was shipped to the Sharks. Haggerty feels there are better, younger options to help the Bruins at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With Thornton and Marleau in the twilight of their long careers, some observers feel the Sharks owe it to the duo to peddle them to a club where they’ll have one last shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Given their ages and declining production, however, there might not be much of a market for either guy at this stage in their respective careers.

Thornton and Marleau might not want to leave San Jose. Marleau tried it with the Toronto Maple Leafs and it didn’t work out. Thornton carries a full no-movement clause and has given no indication he wants to move on. Anything’s possible, of course, but I don’t think they want to leave.

LATEST AVALANCHE SPECULATION

THE DENVER POST: Mike Chambers believes the Colorado Avalanche must shore up their goaltending and team defense before the trade deadline.

“Two elite veteran goalies could become available in the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist and the Kings’ Jonathan Quick, both of whom have contracts the Avs could work with should they doubt their current duo. As for that depth forward, Colorado could entice a non-playoff team to trade a pending free agent to strengthen its bottom-six scoring.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every report I’ve heard or seen out of New York regarding Lundqvist doesn’t envision any scenario where he’ll waive his no-movement clause. Quick is signed through 2022-23 with an annual average salary of $5.8 million and lacks no-trade protection. While the Avs have the salary-cap space to absorb that contract, the decline in Quick’s performance and his long injury history makes it unlikely he’ll land in Denver by the trade deadline.

BLUES COULD SEEK A TOP-SIX FORWARD

STLTODAY.COM: Jim Thomas reports Blues general manager Doug Armstrong isn’t ruling out the possibility of making a move at the Feb. 24 trade deadline for a top-six forward. “You’re always looking to see if you can improve your team, and if we can improve our team in our top six, I think we can take a look at that,” he said.

Armstrong added a lot would depend upon the status of winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who remains sidelined following shoulder surgery in October. “My first choice would be to have Vladi playing sooner than later,” Armstrong said. “But medically, those shoulders — the surgery he had — it’s a fixed timeline of approximately six months. It’s not something you can really change.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the defending Stanley Cup champion Blues perched atop the Western Conference for most of this season, Armstrong isn’t under pressure to swing a major deal at the deadline. It makes sense for him to monitor the trade market in case a reasonable deal appears, but he can afford to be patient. Cap Friendly indicates the Blues carry over $5.8 million in trade-deadline cap space, but Armstrong must ensure he has sufficient cap room in case Tarasenko ($7.5 million) returns before the end of this season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 26, 2020

by | Jan 26, 2020

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 26, 2020

The latest on Shayne Gostisbehere, Chris Kreider, Tyler Toffoli, and more in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.

COULD THE FLYERS SHOP GOSTISBEHERE FOR A FORWARD?

PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi suggests the Philadelphia Flyers might have to trade Shayne Gostisbehere and/ or a draft pick to land another offensive piece. Flyers coach Alain Vigneault seems to have found the right defensive pairings. Carchidi observes the Flyers have gone 5-2 since Gostisbehere was sidelined by arthroscopic knee surgery. He’s due to return to the lineup by Jan. 31, and Carchidi thinks his name will be tossed around before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Will the Philadelphia Flyers try to shop defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere for a scoring forward? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gostisbehere is struggling this season under Vigneault. He’s come up several times throughout this season in the rumor mill. “Ghost Bear was linked last November to the Montreal Canadiens, but that’s died out since they acquired Marco Scandella earlier this month. Gostisbehere lacks no-trade protection and has three years left on his contract with an annual average value of $4.5 million. Given his offensive skills, the 26-year-old rearguard could attract some interest leading up to deadline day, but interested clubs could ask for the Flyers to pick up part of his annual salary.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GARRIOCH’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING”.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the word is the New York Rangers are playing both sides of the fence with Chris Kreider and aren’t sure which way they’ll go with the pending free-agent winger. There haven’t been any contract talks between the two sides, but that could be because management hasn’t made a final decision. The Boston Bruins could pursue Kreider if he hits the trade block.

The Bruins, Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes, and St. Louis Blues could try to add scoring before the trade deadline. Garrioch suggests Los Angeles Kings winger Tyler Toffoli could be one option. Like Kreider, he’s due to become a UFA this summer.

San Jose’s Brenden Dillon could be an option for clubs seeking a blueliner. Sharks GM Doug Wilson is determined to make deals for draft picks.

New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking to move pending UFAs Andy Greene, Sami Vatanen, and Wayne Simmonds. Winger Kyle Palmieri’s name is also out there in the rumor mill. He’s got an eight-team no-trade list.

League executives claim the Anaheim Ducks are engaging in a full rebuild and are open to just about any possibility at the trade deadline. That includes exchanging bad contracts for prospects and picks. GM Bob Murray won’t trade just anybody, but he’s open on several fronts.

The Florida Panthers are in the market for a defenseman and a backup goalie. Speculation suggests he has some interest in Ottawa Senators blueliner Dylan DeMelo.

At least 15 teams could be interested in Jean-Gabriel Pageau if the Ottawa Senators put the center on the trade block.

The New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not much here that hasn’t already been reported elsewhere in recent weeks. If Ducks GM Bob Murray is open to trade suggestions, I don’t see him shopping long-time center Ryan Getzlaf unless he wants out. Getzlaf has a full no-movement clause. The modified no-trade clauses of forwards Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg could complicate attempts to move them. I don’t see Murray shopping Rickard Rakell, but maybe he’ll listen to offers for oft-injured Ondrej Kase. Defenseman Josh Manson has also come up in recent trade chatter and could be their best trade chip, but he also has a modified NTC.

I anticipate Panthers GM Dale Tallon will be busy leading up to the trade deadline. He’ll try to bolster his club’s chances of nailing down an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS STILL NEED A DEFENSEMAN

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently suggested the Vegas Golden Knights require a puck-moving defenseman who can clear the zone and improve their transition game. Options could include a blueliner signed beyond this season like Montreal’s Jeff Petry, a pending restricted free agent like the Rangers’ Tony DeAngelo, or a rental option like Chicago’s Erik Gustafsson or New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens aren’t under pressure to move Petry. Ditto the Rangers with DeAngelo. It could take a substantial offer to land either guy. Gustafsson or Vatanen would be more affordable options.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 25, 2020

by | Jan 25, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 25, 2020

The latest on Chris Kreider and Mathew Barzal plus updates on the Leafs and Hurricanes in today’s NHL rumor mill.

NO CONTRACT TALKS BETWEEN KREIDER, RANGERS

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports Chris Kreider said he and the New York Rangers aren’t engaged in contract extension talks. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. With the Rangers sliding down the standings, there’s speculation he could be moved by the Feb. 24 NHL trade deadline.

There hasn’t been any contract talks between the New York Rangers and winger Chris Kreider (Photo via NHL Images).

Kreider claims he’s unconcerned. “It’s not something I’ve really thought about,” he said. “I’m a Ranger until they tell me I’m not a Ranger.” Fox’s colleague Elliotte Friedman recently reported Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins are among the clubs interested in Kreider.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a growing sense the Rangers will wait for as long as possible to determine if they’ll be sellers by the deadline. If they fail to rise in the standings, I believe Kreider will be traded by Feb. 24 to one of those clubs cited by Friedman.

BARZAL’S FUTURE COULD GET INTERESTING

NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis reports the New York Islanders have plenty to consider about Mathew Barzal. The 22-year-old first-line center is in the final season of his entry-level contract.

Cyrgalis believes the most likely scenario sees general manager Lou Lamoriello re-signing Barzal to a two- or three-year bridge deal worth between $6 – $7 million per season. The Bazal camp could counter by seeking a deal comparable to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner’s six-year, $65.3-million contract.

Cyrgalis also said there’s a pesky notion that Barzal would love to play for the new Seattle franchise that starts playing in 2021-22. He played his junior hockey there and it’s close to his childhood home of Coquitlam, BC. Cyragalis wondered if Lamoriello would be so bold as to strike a deal with Seattle in which they take Barzal in the expansion draft in exchange for a first-round pick plus a bit more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless Barzal kicks up a fuss and wants off Long Island, he’s not going anywhere. I doubt he gets a deal similar to Marner’s. Given Lamoriello’s reputation as a hard-nosed negotiator, it wouldn’t be surprising if Barzal’s re-signed to a short-term deal with the promise of a lucrative, long-term contract down the road.

LATEST ON THE LEAFS AND HURRICANES

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun examined where the 31 NHL teams stand a month from the Feb. 24 trade deadline. He rehashed much of the recent speculation (Penguins’ linked to Minnesota’s Jason Zucker, potential destinations for Chris Kreider and LA Kings winger Tyler Toffoli, etc). However, there were two nuggets of interest:

LeBrun doesn’t believe the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown interest in LA Kings defenseman Alec Martinez yet. He wonders if they might pursue Minnesota Wild blueliner Matt Dumba, Calgary Flames rearguard T.J. Brodie, or Anaheim Ducks d-man Josh Manson. Landing one of them could cost the Leafs an asset such as winger Kasperi Kapanen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regarding Brodie, The Athletic’s James Mirtle tweeted the Leafs were on his eight-team no-trade list when they attempted to acquire him for Nazem Kadri last summer. Appearing on TSN’s Leafs Lunch yesterday, however, Mirtle said Brodie may have taken the Leafs off that list after learning of their interest in him. It could be worth keeping an eye on that, though I think the Leafs aren’t willing to part with Kapanen or Johnsson for a rental defenseman. Someone with term on his contract, like Martinez, Dumba, or Manson, would be more to their liking.

Losing Dougie Hamilton to injury could force the Carolina Hurricanes to pursue a more defensive-minded blueliner, suggesting LA’s Alec Martinez or San Jose’s Brenden Dillon as trade options. He also believes the Canes could be interested in Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Robin Lehner if he hits the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think the Blackhawks will trade Lehner regardless of where they are in the standings. He’s outplaying Corey Crawford and I believe GM Stan Bowman will re-sign Lehner unless his salary demands are outrageous. If he seeks something comparable to Montreal’s Carey Price or Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, see ya later.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 24, 2020

by | Jan 24, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 24, 2020

Who could the Bruins target in the trade market, and could Charlie McAvoy become trade bait? What’s the latest on the Rangers and Red Wings? Check out the details in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LATEST BRUINS TRADE BUZZ

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Los Angeles’ Alec Martinez and San Jose’s Brenden Dillon top Nick Goss’ list of five defensemen for the Bruins to pursue at the trade deadline. New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen, Ottawa’s Ron Hainsey, and Chicago’s Erik Gustafsson round out his list.

Joe Haggerty suggests the New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider and the LA Kings’ Tyler Toffoli among the top-six forward trade options for the Bruins. New Jersey’s Kyle Palmieri, Montreal’s Ilya Kovalchuk, and Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel are the other notables on Haggerty’s list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins were active during the last two trade deadlines, bringing in Rick Nash in 2018 and Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson last year. They believe their Stanley Cup window remains wide open, so they’ll likely make a significant move in the coming weeks. Adding a scoring winger is their pressing need, but we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility they’ll also add a veteran blueliner.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy recently reported an NHL scout texted him saying, “Don’t be surprised if the Bruins move (Charlie) McAvoy.” While other sources say the young defenseman isn’t being shopped, there’s growing speculation McAvoy could be used by general manager Don Sweeney to make a “statement trade” to add a young scoring winger with term remaining on his contract.

Could the Boston Bruins shop defenseman Charlie McAvoy for a scoring forward? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I would be surprised if the Bruins trade McAvoy, who was re-signed last summer to a cap-friendly, three-year contract. Nevertheless, if Sweeney indeed wants to make a significant move to bolster his offense, swapping the 22-year-old defenseman for a scoring forward would certainly do it. That type of move usually doesn’t take place until the off-season. We’ll find out soon enough what Sweeney has in store.

UPDATES ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the trade buzz surrounding Alexandar Georgiev is picking up, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche said to be interested in the Rangers’ backup goaltender. If the Blueshirts don’t improve and remain in the playoff hunt over the next several weeks, Brooks feels Georgiev and other possible playoff rentals (Chris Kreider, Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Strome, Jesper Fast) and perhaps winger Pavel Buchnevich) could hit the trade block.

Noting the growing interest in Georgiev, Brooks suggests the Rangers strike now while the 23-year-old’s trade value is high. A bidding war for Georgiev’s services might fetch “a no-doubt top-nine winger with potential top-six upside.” He doesn’t believe veteran Henrik Lundqvist will ask to be moved or approached about waiving his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers can get a quality return for Georgiev, they’ll move him. If not, they’ll retain him and see what his value will be in the off-season trade market. It’s expected Kreider will be moved unless the Rangers surge up the standings before the trade deadline. Not so sure about Strome, Fast, DeAngelo or Buchnevich getting shopped, but each could attract varying degrees of interest if management is willing to entertain offers.

 

RED WINGS’ LIMITED TRADE OPTIONS

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman hopes to shop several pending unrestricted free agents for draft picks at the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Unfortunately, those trade candidates (Mike Green, Trevor Daley, Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard) are struggling this season and have limited trade value.

Khan thinks Green’s offensive abilities might draw some interest. Daley and Ericsson have been hurt a lot and clubs could seek better options. Howard’s performance and a thin goalie market probably make him untradeable. Asked about Valtteri Filppula and Andreas Athanasiou, Khan believes teams would want the Wings to pick up part of Filppula’s $3-million annual average salary, while Athanasiou’s struggles has sent his trade value plummeting this season.

Khan listed the Wings’ untouchables as Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Zadina and Filip Hronek on the current roster, and Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Michael Rasmussen in their system. He also wouldn’t give up on defenseman Dennis Cholowski.

THE DETROIT NEWS: Mark Falkner cites NBC Sports’ Pierre McGuire reporting Trevor Daley requested a trade to a Stanley Cup contender. McGuire suggests the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights could be interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Daley’s injury history and declining performance, I don’t see him helping the Stars, Avs or Golden Knights.










Sense or Nonsense – No Break for NHL GMs as Trade Deadline Nears

by | Jan 24, 2020

Sense or Nonsense – No Break for NHL GMs as Trade Deadline Nears

 










Rumor Trade Candidates Who Won’t Be Moved By The NHL Trade Deadline

by | Jan 23, 2020

Rumor Trade Candidates Who Won’t Be Moved By The NHL Trade Deadline